Plunger type fountain pen



Dec. 27, 1938. s, M. sAGER PLUNGER TYPE FOUNTAIN PEN Filed June 18, 1937 .VE y UF Suono/v M 6,4659.

Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 39 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved type of fountain pen of the plunger filler type, constructed to eject air and old ink with the outward movement of the plunger, and adapted to cause filling of the fountain pen barrel at a single downward stroke of the plunger mechanism. The plunger mechanism includes an improved plunger head secured to an improved plunger stem, said head and stem being associated with an improved intake and outlet tube associated with the feed bar and obviating the necessity of providing a groove on the interior of the fountain pen barrel. The improved fountain pen also relates to improvements in the projecting end of the plunger stem on which an actuating head is telescoped and has associated therewith a cleaning member which projects through an offset or eccentric passage in the filler tube and continues downwardly through the intake passage of the feed bar of the fountain pen thereby providing a cleaning mechanism for the intake tube and the feed bar whenever the fountain pen is refilled.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of plunger filling fountain pen wherein the plunger mechanisms are provided with improved packing devices and an ink and air shutoff valve for eliminating ink leakage.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a plunger type fountain pen wherein the plunger mechanism carries a cleaning member which is associated with the ink tube and feed bar for cleaning the same with the refilling of the fountain pen.

A further object of the invention is the construction of a plunger type of fountain pen wherein the interior of the fountain pen `barrel is smooth and free from ink outlet grooves due to the provision of an eccentrically bored inlet andl feed tube, the exterior of which is provided with ink outlet grooves located adjacent the inner end of the fountain pen feed bar into which the ink tube projects.

Another object Yof the invention is the construction of a plunger type fountain pen including a plunger mechanism having telescoping engagement with a flexible filling tube which is so constructed that it also serves as an ink feed tube for permitting ink from the fountain pen barrel to be delivered to the fountain pen feed bar through the plunger stem Aand the plunger head instead of passing around the exterior of the plunger head through grooves or passages provided in the inner wall of the fountain pen barrel in accordance with former practices.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to (Cl. 1Z0-47) provide a plunger type fountain pen wherein the feed bar has associated therewith a combination ink intake and outlet 'tube over which the fountain pen plunger stem is telescoped, said plunger stem being constructed of a treated metal or material free from the action of ink, thereby affording a construction permitting a smooth, uniform operation of the plunger stem through the fountain pen packing unit, since the smooth exterior nish of the meta-l plunger tube obviates binding or sticking when the plunger stem is moved through the fountain pen packing unit positioned between the interior of the fountain pen barrel and the improved metal plunger stem.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved and simplified form of plunger type fountain pen wherein the fountain pen feed bar has associated therewith a flexible ink intake and outlet tube over which a metal plunger stem is slidably engaged, with said plunger stem having the inner end thereof provided with or formed with separated retaining members engaged through and retaining an improved plunger head secured in position on the plunger stem leaving ink passages in the plunger stem adjacent the plunger head for the intake and outlet of ink without necessita-ting the provision of grooves or outlets in the inner wall of the fountain barrel.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fountain pen of the .plunger type wherein the feed bar has a combination ink inlet and ink outlet tube associated therewith and wherein the plunger mechanism of the fountain pen carries a cleaning means, for cleaning both the feed bar and the ink tube whenever the plunger stem is operated for emptying or refilling the fountain pen.

Still ano-ther object of the invention is the provision of a plunger type fountain pen wherein ink from the feed barrel is adapted to be' discharged or fed outwardly through the plunger stem and the plunger head carried thereby through feed grooves engaged in the exterior of the ink intake tube located adjacent the attachment of the ink intake tube with the feed bar of the fountain pen.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plunger type fountain pen wherein the ink feed bar and the ink intake tube Vare each provided with an vink intake passage and with a plurality of ink feed grooves.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified form of plunger type fountain pen wherein the fountain pen barrel,

the section, and ink guard are of single or unitary construction, and wherein an improved plunger mechanism coacts with a combination ink intake and ink outlet tube which is adapted to be kept clean by a cleaner device carried by the plunger mechanism which carries a shiftable or slidable operating head which is permitted a preliminary sliding movement on the end of the plunger mechanism before actual outward movement of the plunger mechanism takes place, during the emptying operation of the fountain pen, and before the actual return stroke of the plunger mechanism begins during a filling operation of the fountain pen.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a plunger type fountain pen, wherein the plunger mechanism has a slidaole and rotatable actuating head engaged on the outer end thereof adapted to be moved preliminary to the actual operation of the plunger stem in both an ink ejecting and ink filling operation of the pen, said plunger stem actuating head being provided with a spring control which coacts with the end of the fountain pen barrel to indicate the completion of the lling of the fountain pen barrel with ink before the completion of the inward stroke of the plunger stem and the re-establishing of the ink feed connection from the ink chamber of the barrel to the ink feed tube and feed bar of the fountain pen.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified type of plunger fountain pen including a plunger filling mechanism which carries an ink and air shutoff valve and also a cleaning member adapted to allow an ejection of air, sediment or ink through the ink intake passages on the outward movement of the plunger stem from the barrel and is furthermore adapted to allow, by an in- Ward movement of said plunger stem, an ejection of air out of and an influx of ink into the fountain pen barrel with a positive ejection of foreign matter from the intake tube and the feed bar of the fountain pen by the pen cleaning member forming part of the plunger stem. The plunger stem, in a preferred form, is constructed of specially treated metal to provide a smooth, even operation of the plunger stem in both the fountain pen emptying and filling operations, and furthermore permitting the inner end of the metal plunger stem to be formed with spaced extensions for locking a plunger head on the plunger stern and affording ink ports or openings adjacent the plunger head for the passage of ink to and from the ink chamber of the fountain pen, With the escapeY of ink being permitted to take place through a specially constructed combination ink intake and feed tube which permits the feeding of ink to take place through the plunger head directly to the feed bar of th-e fountain pe'n and to the pen point of the fountain pen.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawlng.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through an improved plunger type fountain pen embodying the principles of this invention with parts shown in elevation and with the pen point and cap omitted.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentaryV longitudinal sectional view of parts of the fountain pen and illustrating in dotted lines the operation of the plunger end cap with respect to the plunger stem and the operation of the plunger stem and the end cap with respect to the fountain pen barrel.

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed section of one end of the fountain pen with the plunger stem and the plunger actuating cap illustrated in full lines in closed normal position and illustrating in dotted lines the outermost position of the plunger cap with respect to the plunger stem.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse detailed section taken on line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed section taken on line V--V of Figure 1. Y

As shown on the drawing:

The reference numeral I indicates a fountain pen barrel or body, preferably constructed of a transparent material, of an opaque material, or a combination of both a transparent material and an opaque material. The fountain pen barrel is of unitary construction with the outer end or the end farthest from the writing end of the fountain pen being open and having'a portion of the interior surface thereof threaded at 2. Permanently secured in the open outer end of the fountain pen barrel I is a metal lining sleeve 3, the outer end of which is flanged to seat against the outer edge of the fountain pen barrel. rICh-e inner end of the lining sleeve 3 terminates at the threaded portion 2 of the barrel. The other end portion of the fountain pen barrel I is tapered or shaped to form an integral section il, having a reduced neck 5, the outer end of which is flared outwardly to provide a stop flange or rim E which forms the inner end of the ink guard collar or cup 'I. The ink guard A Collar is integrally formed on the outer end of the section 4 and is of an outwardly tapering form and is interiorly threaded atfor the reception of a threaded portion of a stop sleeve provided in the interior of the fountain pen cap, which has been omitted. An ink receiving recess or pocket 9 is provided in the ink guard collar 1 for the reception or temporary storage of excess ink returned from the pen point of the fountain pen.

Projecting through the ink guard collar I and frictionally into the pen section 4 is a feed bar Ill provided with a plurality of longitudinally positioned ink feed grooves or passages Il, the inner ends of which open through the inner end of the shank portion of the feed bar. The feed bar Ill is also provided with a longitudinally directed ink intake duct, conduit, or passage I2, the outer end of which terminates in the under side of the tip end of the feed baryas clearly illustrated in Figure 2. The inner end of the ink intake passage I2 terminates in a recess i3 in which one end of an ink intake and air outlet tube I4 is secured. The intake tube I4 is constructed of flexible hard rubber or other suitable flexible material and projects axially into the fountain pen barrel I and terminates at a point about at the middle of the metal lining sleeve 3. The ink intake tube I4 is provided with an off-center YorV eccentric passage I5, one end of which registers with the ink intake passage I2 of the feed bar I0, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. The off-center ink intake passage I5 leaves a comparatively thick wall along the length of the intake tube I4, in which thick portion a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel ink outlets or feed grooves or passages I6 are formed. The ink feed or outlet passages I6 extend from a point I 1 substantially adjacent the inner end of the feed bar I inwardly a short distance to a point designated by the r-eference numeral I8. The ink outlets or feed grooves I6 in the ink tube I4 are positioned on the same side as are the feed grooves I I in the feed bar I0, so that the feed grooves I6 and the feed grooves II are in substantial communication with one another.

Slidably engaged in the fountain pen barrel I in telescoping relation with respect to the flexible ink intake tube I4 is an exteriorly polished plunger stem or covered hollow rod I9 preferably constructed of a chromium plated metal tube or of other suitable material completely or partially `covered with a metallic or other suitable covering or coating which is free from the action of the ink. The exterior surface of the plunger stem I9 is highly polished to permit a smooth, even reciprocating motion of the plunger stem when the fountain pen is either being emptied or lled. While the plunger stem I9 has been described as being preferably constructed of chromium plated metal, it will of course be understood that the plunger stem may be constructed of hard rubber or other suitable material which may be treated or covered to form a smooth exterior covering.

The inner end of the plunger stern I9 is provided With a plurality of spaced longitudinally directed notches or openings 29 to permit the passage of ink out of or into the plunger stem. The ink openings or passages 2li provided in one end of the plunger stem I9 leave a plurality of spaced metal ngers or prongs 2| from which outwardly projecting detents or stop projections 22 project. Supported on the notched inner end of the plunger stem I9 is a plunger head unit comprising a pair of centrally apertured discs or plates 23, each of which is provided with a series of openings through which the plunger stem fingers 2l project. The plunger head discs or plates 23 are constructed of hard rubber or other suitable material and are separated by a main plunger head disc or plate 24, which is larger in diameter than the discs 23 and which is constructed of soft rubber-like material or other suitable material which is not affected by ink and which is of sufficient flexibility to form a tight sealing frictional contact with the inner walls of the ink barrel I and with the exterior surface of the ink tube I4, when the plunger mechanism. is operated, and when the plunger mechanism is in normal stationary position (Figure 2) to permit the feeding of ink in the grooves I6 when the fountain pen is used. The plunger head discs are prevented from moving upwardly on the plunger stem I9 by the detents 22 which serve as stops against which one of the discs 23 is adapted to seat. With the discs 23 and 24 forming the plunger head engaged on the notched end of the plunger stem I9, the ends of the locking or retaining fingers 2I are bent over to form retaining flanges 25 to seat against the outer face of one of the plunger head discs 23 to hold the entire plunger head secured in position. The plunger head, when in its innermost or normal position, is engaged around the grooved portion of the ink intake tube Ill, so that ink from the ink chamber of the fountain pen barrel I is permitted to pass outwardly through the outlet openings 20 into the plunger stem I9 and from there into the ink feed passages I6 of the ink tube |54 which conducts the ink outwardly to the ink feed grooves or passages I I of the feed bar Il] of the fountain pen. It will thus be noted that the ink tube I4 serves both as an ink intake member and as an ink outlet or feed member, and obviates the necessity of providing the interior surface of the fountain pen barrel l with grooves or recesses for the passage of ink around the peripheral surfaces of the plunger head.

Threaded or otherwise secured in the outer end cf the plunger stem I9 is an axially passaged plug v25 which is larger in diameter than the exterior diameter of the plunger stem. As clearly illustrated in Figure 3, the plug 2t is provided with an exteriorly threaded shank portion which threads into the interiorly threaded outer end of the plunger stem I9.

Seated against a shoulder 4I in the outer end of the plunger stem I9 and against the inner end of the plug 26 is a conically recessed air and ink shutoff valve 42 adapted to seat against and seal the end of the ink tube It, when the plunger stem is in closed position, to shut off the air and obviate the leakage of ink from the pen.

For the purpose of keeping th-e ink tube passage Iti and the ink intake passage I2 free from clogging up with foreign matter or dried ink clots, a cleaning plunger wire 2l projects through the passaged plug 25 and through the shutoff valve i2 and continues through the ink intake passage l of the tube It and through the ink intake passage i2 of the feed bar Il] to project a short distance out of the intake end of said passage I2. The end of the plunger wire 21 adjacent the head of the plug 29 is doubled over upon itself or shaped to provide a head 28 to prevent the cleaning wire from slipping out of the fountain pen. The cleaning plunger wire 2l is preferably constructed of stainless steel wire or a wire which is plated or treated to prevent the same from being corroded by the action of the ink.

The outer end of the plunger stem I9, together with the plug 26 and the cleaning wire head 28 are all enclosed by a finger grip button cap 29, the inner end of which is open and the outer end of which is closed, and illustrated as being conically shaped to provide a finished end for the button cap 29 as well as the fountain pen. The button cap 29 is constructed of hard rubber, fiber, or other suitable material and is provided with a circumferential groove 39. The groove 3G is provided in the shank portion of the button capV 29 beneath the head thereof to facilitate engagement of the button cap by the finger nails of a persons hand. The button cap 29 has the shank portion thereof slidably engaged in the metal sleeve 3 of the open end of the fountain pen barrel.

For the purpose of operating the plunger stem I9 by means of the button cap 29, said button cap is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting pins or studs 3l which project radially inwardly into the shank portion near the open end of the button cap 29 for engagement beneath the fiange of the plug 26 secured in the outer end of the plunger stem I9. While studs or pins 3| are illustrated and described for use in limiting the sliding movement of the button cap 29 on the outer end portion of the plunger stem i9 and for coaction with the flange of the plunger stem plug 2G to cause outward movement of the plunger stem when it is desired to empty the fountain pen, it will, of course, be understood that other suitable means, such as a threaded engagement of the button cap on the plunger stem I9, may be provided for longitudinally and rotatably adjusting the movement thereof on the plunger stem into a position for actuating the plunger stem. The sliding movement of the button cap 2S on the plunger stem provides an arrangement whereby the button cap is permitted a preliminary movement from the full line position of Figure 2 to the dotted line position A, before the studs or pins 3I engage against the flange of the plug 26. A continued movement of the button cap from the dotted line position A of Figure 2, toward the position B causes an outward movement of the plunger stem I9 and the plunger head to move the plunger head beyond the ink feed groove it of the tube i4, thereby causing the plunger head to force the ink in the ink chamber of the barrel i through the openings 2) upwardly in the plunger tube i9 and then downwardly through the top end of the tube I4, so that the ink from the fountain pen is discharged through the passage I5 and the passage i2 of the feed bar iii. It will thus be noted, that on the outward movement of the plunger mechanism of the fountain pen, that the ink in the fountain pen ink chamber is discharged to empty the pen. With the outward movement of the plunger stem I9, the cleaning wire 2l is also pulled outwardly through the passages I2 and I5 to clean the same.

Upon a return stroke of the plunger mechanism from its outermost position inwardly toward the feed bar it the cleaning wire 2'! is pushed downwardly through the passages 'i5 and i2 to serve as a cleaning medium. With the tip end of the feed bar It engaged'in a supply of ink, the plunger mechanism is moved inwardly thereby permitting a supply of ink to pass upwardly through the passages I2 and I5 out of the upper end of the tube i4 and into the interior of the plunger stem I9, from which the ink is permitted to escape through the openings 2@ into the ink chamber, of the fountain pen barrel i. The plunger stem is pushed downwardly until the open end of the shank portion of the button cap 23 reaches the dotted line position C illustrated in Figure 3, at which point in the operation of the button cap a spring clip 32, engaged in a recess in one side of the shank portion of the button cap 29, has a bulged or detent portion which contacts the flange of the metal liner sleeve 3 to arrest the inward movement of the shank portion of the button cap 2S into the liner sleeve. The dotted line position C of the button cap 29 in Figure 3 indicates to the operator of the fountain pen that the plunger head 23-24 has reached the upper end of the feed grooves i6 of the tube i4 and that the ink chamber of the fountain pen barrel is filled with a complete charge of fresh ink. In case the barrel of the fountain pen is constructed of transparent material, the operator of the fountain pen can readily see that the ink chamber is filled. v

The filling operation may now be completed by pushing the button head 29 downwardly from the dotted line position of Figure 3 into the full line position causing the control spring 32 to snap back into its normal seated position in the groove of the button cap shank, thereby moving the shutoff valve 42 to seat against and close the end of the tube I4 and simultaneously allowing the shank portion of the button cap to slide downwardly into the metal liner 3 of the fountain pen barrel leaving only the grooved head portion of the button cap exposed as illustrated in Figure 1. Y

It will thus be notedrthat the slidable mounting of the button cap on the outer end portion of the plunger stem I9 permits a preliminary outward movement of the button cap, on an emptying operation of the fountain pen, before actual movement of the plunger stem I9 takes place. On the return stroke of the plunger mechanism, the button head moves from the dotted line position B of Figure 2 into the position C of Figure 3 before the return stroke of the plunger mechanism begins.

For the purpose of preventing leakage between the fountain pen barrel and the exterior of the movable plunger stem I9, a packing unit is engaged within the fountain pen barrel adjacent the inner end of the liner sleeve 3. The packing unit is adapted to have the innermost member thereof seated against a shoulder 33 provided in the inner wall of the fountain pen barrel. The ller unit comprises a hard rubber washer or disc 34, a treated paper separating washer or disc 35, a soft rubber washer or disc 36, another treated paper washer or disc 31, a paraiflned felt disc or washer 38, another treated paper disc or washer 39, and nally an exteriorly threaded hard rubber lock washer or disc 4B, all of which are closely arranged in compact contacting relation, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. The lock washer 4@ is threaded into the interiorly threaded portion 2 of the fountain pen barrel I to tightly compress the packing washers one upon the other to form a tight seal with the inner surface of the fountain pen barrel and a tightV frictional seal around the movable plunger stem i9 which pro- Vjects through the packing unit.

The operation of the improved fountain pen is very simple. WhenV it is desired to refill the fountain pen, the first step is to engage the button cap 29 and move the same from the full line position of Figure 2V into the dotted line position A, this preliminary movement of the button cap indicating to the operator that the pen point end of the fountain pen should be engaged over a receptacle for receiving whatever old ink is left in the fountain pen. The continued outward movement of the button head 279 from the dotted line position A of Figure 2 toward the dotted line position B causes the projections 3i of the button cap to engage the flange ofthe plug 26 of the plunger stem I9, thereby causing outward movement of the plunger mechanism and the opening of the tube i4 by the release of the shutoif valve 42. As soon as the plunger head 23-24 passes the feed grooves i6 in the tube I4, ink is discharged through the tube passages I5 and I2 to clear the fountain pen of the old ink. With Vthe plunger mechanism in its outermost position, the lling of the fountain pen is accomplished by first inserting the tip end of the feed bar I in a fresh supply of ink. The button head 29 is now moved from the position B into the position C to seat on the wire head 23 and the plug 2S before the return movement of the plunger mechanism begms.

With the button cap 29 in the dotted line position C, the filling movement of the plunger mechanism begins and ink is drawn upwardly through the passage i2 of the feed bar I i) and through the passage I5 of the tube I4 into the interior of the plunger stem I9 and into the ink chamber of the fountain pen barrel I to fill the same. When the plunger head 23-24 reaches the end of the ink feed grooves I6, the ink intake operation is completed and the latch spring or member 32 of the button head 29 isA brought into Contact with 75 the flange portion of the metal `lining sleeve 3, as shown in Figure 3, to temporarily arrest the further inward movement'of the plunger mechanism .and to indicate to the operator of the fountain pen that a filling operation has been completed. With the continued downward movement of the button head 29 into the full line position of Figure 3, the plunger head 21S-24 is moved to the full line position of Figure 2 surrounding the ink feed groove portion of the ink intake and feed tube I4 to permit ink from the interior of the plunger stem i9 to escape in the feed passages I6 which conduct the ink into the chamber of the barrel section 4, so that the ink is fed outwardly through the ink feed grooves II of the feed bar I to the pen point of the fountain pen. Attention is called to the fact that in this type of plunger fountain pen that the ink from the ink chamber of the barrel is not fed around the exterior of the plunger through grooves in the interior of the barrel to the feed bar grooves, but is rst conducted from the ink chamber of the fountain pen barrel I through the openings 2l) into the plunger stem I9, from which the ink is fed through the plunger head by Way of the feed grooves I6 cf the tube I4 to the feed grooves II of the feed bar I0.

It will, of course, be understood that numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in one end of the barrel, an ink intake and feed tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, a packing unit in the opposite end of the barrel, an ink filling and discharge plunger mechanism slidably mounted in the barrel and projecting through the packing unit for telescoping engagement over the ink tube, and a shutoff valve in the plunger mechanism for said ink tube, said ink tube having ink feed passages therein for feeding ink from the interior of the plunger mechanism to the feed bar and pen point.

2. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in one end thereof, an ink tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, said ink tube having feed grooves in the exterior portion thereof adjacent the feed bar, a packing unit in one end of the barrel, a smooth surfaced plunger stem slidably projecting through the packing unit and slideable over the tube, and a double seal plunger head secured on the inner end of the plunger stem and having sealing contact with the barrel and with the ink tube, said plunger stem having openings therein adjacent the plunger head to Supply ink from the barrel into the plunger stem for passage through the plunger head by Way of the feed grooves in the tube to the feed bar and pen point.

3. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel having a section and an ink guard integrally formed on one end thereof, a packing unit in the opposite end of the barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in the section end of the barrel, an ink tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and having ink feed grooves in the eX- terior surface thereof adjacent the feed bar, an exteriorly smooth plunger stem slidably projecting through the packing unit and over the ink tube in the barrel, a shutoff valve in the plunger stem for the ink tube, a double seal plunger head ,having sealing contact with the barrel and with said tube, means forming a part of the inner end of the plunger stem for holding the plunger head secured in position on the inner end of the plunger stem, said plunger stem having openings therein adjacent the plunger head for the passage of ink from the ink barrel into the interior of the plunger stem to the feed grooves in the ink tube for the feeding of ink through the plunger head to the feed bar, and a button cap adjustably engaged on the outer end of the plunger stem for actuating the plunger stem and for closing the end of the fountain pen barrel in which the packing unit is engaged.

4. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel having a section and an ink guard integrally formed on one end thereof, a feed bar and pen point projecting through the ink guard and into the section of the barrel, a eXible ink intake and ink feed tube engaged in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, a packing unit engaged in the fountain pen barrel, a plunger mechanism slidably mounted through the packing unit and projecting into the pen barrel, an ink tube shutoff valve in the plunger mechanism, said plunger mechanism having openings near one end thereof permitting ink from the barrel to be admitted into the plunger mechanism to be fed to the ink tube and to the feed bar, and means carried by the plunger mechanism for cleaning the ink tube and the feed bar.

5. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point secured in one end thereof, a packing unit engaged in the opposite end of the barrel, a combination exteriorly grooved ink intake and feed tube connected with the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, an apertured plunger mechanism slidably projecting through the packing unit and into the barrel over said tube for the passage of ink from the barrel into the plunger mechanism to be fed to the feed bar by way of the groove in said tube.

6. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in one end thereof, a packing unit engaged in the opposite end of the barrel, a combination ink intake and ink feed tube connected with the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, said tube having ink feed passages in an exterior portion thereof adjacent the feed bar, and an apertured plunger mechanism slidably engaged in the barrel over the tube and having a smooth, sliding sealing engagement with the packing unit, said plunger mechanism when in its normal position having the apertures thereof positioned adjacent the feed grooves in the tube for the passage of ink from the barrel through said apertures to the feed grooves in the tube to the feed bar and pen point.

7. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in one end thereof, a packing unit engaged in the opposite end of the barrel, an eccentrically passaged ink intake tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, said intake tube having a thicker wall on one side in which ink feed passages are formed in a portion of the exterior thereof adjacent the feed bar, and an apertured plunger mechanism for emptying and filling the fountain pen, said plunger mechanism having a smooth sliding t through the packing unit and engageable over 6 the ink tube Vfor uie'feding .of ailn from the barrel through the plunger mechanism to the feed grooves in the ink tube for the feeding of ink to the feed bar and pen point. Y

8. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in one end thereof, a exible ink intake tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, said ink intake tube having ink feed passages in a portion of the exterior thereof adjacent the feed bar, an exteriorly polished plunger stem having a smooth sliding t with the packing unit and a telescoping engagement over the ink tube, a shutoff valve in the plunger stem for therink tube, a double seal plunger head in the barrel having a frictional sealing fit at all times with the interior of the barrel and also having a sealing t with the exterior of the ink tube, means forming part of the plunger stem engaging and holding the plunger head on said plunger stem and forming openings in the plunger stem adjacent the plunger head for the feeding of ink through the plunger head and the feed passages in said tube to the feed bar. Y

9. A plunger type fountain pen comprising a barrel, a section and an ink guard integrally formed on one end thereof, a packing unit secured in the opposite end of the barrel, means for locking the packing unit in position in the barrel,l

a metal liner in the barrel adjacent the outer end of the packing unit, a feed bar and pen point projecting through the ink guard and into the barrel section, an ink intake and feed tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, said ink tube having ink feed passages in an exterior portion thereof adjacent the feed bar, an exteriorly polished plunger stem engaged over the ink tubearnd having a smooth movable sealing t with theA packing unit, an air and ink shutoff valve in the plunger stem for closing one end of the ink tube, a plunger head engaged in the barrel and having a frictional sealing Contact With the interior of the barrel at all times and a sealing Contact withV the ink tube, extensions integrally formed on the inner end of the plunger stem projecting the ink tube and into the feed bar for cleaning the same with the movement of the plunger stem, a button head adjustably engaged on the outer end of the plunger stem and enclosing the plug and normally adapted to be seated in the metal liner to close one end of the barrel, means in the button head for engaging the plug to limit the outward movement of the button head with respect to the plunger stem andrallowing a preliminary movement of the buttonV head with respect to the plunger stern before actuation ofV theplunger stem takes place, and a spring latch in the exterior of the button head for temporarily arresting the inward Vmovement Vof the button head into the barrel to indicate the completion of the filling operation on a return llingV movement of the plunger stem .before the complete return Yof the plungerV stem and plunger head to normal closed ink feed positions, when the button cap is returned to norrnal'position against the action of the spring latch to seat Within the metal lining to close the end of the fountain pen barrel.

10. A fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point in one end of the barrel, an apertured plunger mechanism for emptying and filling the barrel, a combination ink intake and feed tube secured to the feed bar and projecting into the plunger mechanism, and a shutoff valve in the plunger mechanism for said ink tube, said tube being exteriorly recessed adjacent the feed bar for feeding ink from the interior of the plunger mechanism through one end thereof to the feed bar When the plunger mechanism is in normal position Within the barrel. j

1l. A fountain pen comprising a barrel, a feed bar and pen point engaged in one end'thereof, a combination ink intake and feed tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar and projecting into the barrel, a combination filling and emptying plunger mechanism in the barrel telescoped over the tube, packing means between the barrel and Vthe plunger mechanism, and a lcleaning means carried by the plunger mechanism for cleaning the feed bar and the ink tube Whenever the plungermechanism is actuated forY emptying or filling the fountain pen.

12. The combination With a fountain pen, of a plunger mechanism for emptying and filling the fountain pen, and a cleaning means carried by theplunger mechanism for cleaning the fountain pen both with the emptying and filling operations of the plunger mechanism.

13. A fountain pen comprising arbarrel, a stationary ink feed bar andV tube projecting into the barrel, and a plunger means slidably engaged in thebarrel and over said tube, said tube having feed recesses therein forfeedingvink through` the plunger means to the feed bar when the end of the plunger means is positioned around the portion of the ink tube ,in Whichrthe recesses ,are provided.

14. A plunger type fountain pen including combination an ink feed unit comprising an ink feed bar having an ink intake passage andink feed grooves formed therein, and an ink tube secured in the inner end of the feed bar .and having an ink intake passage and ink feed grooves provided therein in respective registering relation with the ink intake passage and the ink feed grooves of the feed bar.

15. In a plunger type fountain pen of the class described, an ink feed unitcomprising a feed bar and an ink tube secured thereto, and said bar and tube having registering ink feed passages formed in the exterior thereof.

16. A plunger type fountain pen including inV combination a plunger mechanism comprising a plunger stem, a valve therein, a plunger head secured on the inner end of the stem, and an actuating cap shiftably engaged on the outer end of said stem.

17. A plunger type fountain pen including in combination a plunger mechanism comprisinga plated or covered plunger stem having spaced extensions integrally formed on one end thereof,

an air and inkshutoff valve carried by the plunger mechanism, anda plunger head engaged on said extensions` and held in position thereby and leaving ink ingress and egress openings in the plunger stem adjacent the plunger. head.`

Y 18.V A plunger Vtype fountain pen including in combination a plunger mechanism comprising an exteriorly polished plunger stem having extensions on one end thereof, stop members on said extensions, a plunger head engaged on the e-xtensions and contacting the stop members, said extensions having the ends thereof deflected to clamp the plunger head in position on the plunger stem extensions.

19. A plunger type fountain pen including in combination a plunger mechanism comprising an exteriorly polished plunger stem having projections on one en-d thereof, stop members on` said projections, a plunger head engaged on said extensions and seated against the stop members, means on the extensions for holding the plunger head clamped in position and leaving openings between the plunger head and the plunger stem, a plug closing the opposite end of the plunger stem, and a cleaning member supported on the plug and projecting through the plunger stem and the plunger head.

20. A fountain pen including in` combination a chromium plated o-r covered plunger ste-m having extensions formed on one end thereof, stop members on said extensions, a plunger head engaged on said extensions and held clamped in position against said stop members by the extensions and leaving openings in the plunger stern adjacent the plunger head.

21, A fountain pen including in combination a chromium plated or covered plunger stem having extensions formed on one end thereof, stop members on said extensions, a plunger head engaged on said extensions and held clamped in position against said stop: members by the extensions and leaving ink ingress and egress openings in the stem adjacent the plunger head, and a fountain pen cleaning means carried by the plunger stem and actuatable therewith.

22. A fountain pen including in combination. a plunger stem with a polished covering having extensions formed on one end thereof, stop inembers on said extensions, a plunger head engaged on said extensions and held clamped in position against said stop members by the extensions and leaving openings in the stem adjacent the'plunger head, and a button head adjustably mounted on one end of the plunger stem for normally closing one end of the fountain pen, said button head being constructed ,to permit a preliminary.

longitudinal movement of the button head prior to the actual outward movement of the plunger stem by the button head.

23. A fountain pen including in combination a chromium plated metal plunger stem having extensions formed on one end thereof, stop members on said extensions, a plunger head engaged on said extensions and held clamped in position against said stop members by the exten.- sions` and leaving openings in the stem adjacent the plunger head, a fountain pen cleaning means carried by the plunger stem and actuatable therewith, and a button head longitudinally adjustable on one end of the plunger stem for normally closing one end` of the fountain pen, said button head being constructed to permit a preliminary outward movement of the button head prior to the actual outward movement of the plunger stem by the button head.

24. A plunger type fountain pen including in` combination a combined ink intake and feed tube having an ink intake passage extending throughout the entire length thereof' and having ink feed passages provided in the exterior surface thereof near one end of the tube.

25. A plunger type fountain. pen including in combination a plunger mechanism comprising a plunger stem having a highly polished exterior covering, extensions on one end of the plunger stem, a plunger head connected to the plunger stem by said extensions, plug means for closing the opposite end of the plunger stem, an air and ink. shutoff valve in said plunger stem to the inside of said plug means, and a button head movably engaged over the outer end of the plunger stem and including means for limiting the outward movement of the button head with respect to the plunger stem.

26. A plunger type` fountain pen including in combination a plunger mechanism comprising a plunger stem having a highly polished exterior covering, extensions on one end of the plunger stem, a plunger head connected to the plunger stem by said extensions, plug means for closing the opposite end of the plunger stem, a button head adjustably engaged over the outer end cf the plunger stem and including means for coacting with the plug means for limiting the outward movement of the button head with resp-ect to the plunger stem, and a spring latch carried by the button head for coaction with the barrel of the fountain pen to temporarily restrict the inward movement of the button head with respect to the fountain pen barrel to indicate the completion of a filling operation of the fountain pen prior to the complete return of the plunger stem and plunger head to normal positions by forcing the b-utton head into the end of the fountain pen barrel against the resistance of the latch means.

27. A fountain pen including in combination a barrel, a plunger mechanism reciprocally mounted therein for emptiying and filling the fountain pen barrel, and a button head reciprocally mounted on a projecting end of the plunger mechanism for actuating the same, said button head serving as a closure for the end cf the barrel and being permitted a preliminary outward movement with respect to the plunger mechanism before they plunger mechanism is actuated thereby.

28. A plunger type fountain pen including in combination a` barrel, a plunger mechanism slidably mounted therein, a button head adjustably engaged on the outer end of the plunger mechanism for normally closing the barrel, said button head being permitted a preliminary outward movement with respect to the barrel and the plunger mechanism prior to the actuation of the plunger mechanism by the button head, and latch means carried by the button head for coacting with the end of the fountain pen barrel on the return stroke of the plunger mechanism and button head to temporarily hold the button head in a position indicating the completion of a filling operation of the fountain pen prior tothe complete return of the plunger mechanism. to normal position when the` button head is forced back into the end of the barrel against the action of the latch means which when the button head is in normal position coacts with the barrel to hold the button head locked in position against accidental outward movement.

29. A plunger type fountain pen including in combination a barrel, a combination air and ink tube in said barrel and having ink feed grooves in a portion of the exterior thereof, a plunger stem shiftably mounted in the barrel over the ink tube, and a plunger head on the stem including a soft packing washer having an exterior sealing contact with the interior of the barrel and an interior sealing contact with the exterior of the ink tube, said washer allowing the passage of ink therethrough when the plunger head is engaged around the exteriorly grooved portion thereof.

30. A plunger type fountain pen including in combination a plunger mechanism carrying a cleaning means operable with the plunger mechanism for cleaning the fountain pen.

3l. In a plunger type fountain pen of the class described, a plunger mechanism comprising a plunger stem, a plunger head on one end thereof, and a cleaning means projecting from the plunger mechanism and operable thereby for cleaning the fountain pen.

32. A fountain pen including in combination a barrela feed bar therein, a filling mechanism in the barrel, and cleaning means operable with the filling mechanism for cleaning the feed bar.

33. The combination with a fountain pen and the ink intake passage thereof, of cleaning means Within the fountain pen and projectable through said passagey to keep the passage clean, and means for simultaneously filling the fountain pen and operating the cleaning means.

34. A fountain pen including in combination a filling means, and means operable thereby for cleaning the fountain pen. Y

35. A fountain pen including an ink tube having feed grooves in the exterior thereof, and a double seal plunger head slidable on said tube and having sealing contact with the interior of the fountain pen and with the exterior of said tube, said plunger head allowing the passage of ink therethrough VWhen the plunger head is moved adjacent the feed grooves in the ink tube.

36. A fountain pen including a filling mechanism, a cleaning means carried thereby, and an actuating head shiftably mounted on the filling mechanism for simultaneously actuating both the lling mechanism and said cleaning means.

37. A fountain pen including a passage feed bar, a'longitudinally passaged ink intake member secured thereto with the passage therein registering With the passage in the feed bar, a filling plunger slidably engaged over the ink intake member, and a cleaning wire carried by the filling plunger and projecting through the registering passages in the intake member and in said feed bar.

. 38. In a fountain pen'the combination with a passaged feed member, of a filling means including a valve mechanism for closing the inner end of the feed member When the filling means isV in a normal inactive position, and a cleaning member in the fountain pen reciprocable by the filling means and projectable through the feed member to clean the same.

39. A plunger type fountain pen including in combination a plunger mechanism comprising a plunger stem, a plunger head secured on one end thereof, and a cleaning means Within said plunger stem for cleaning the fountain pen when the plunger stem is reciprocated to fill the fountain pen.

SOLOMON M. SAGER. 

